Chocolate bunnies, pastel-frosted cakes and cookies and tons of candy — overflowing Easter baskets stuffed to the brim with sugary goodness bring delight to children and grownups, alike.
Then comes Easter morning services followed by Easter egg hunts and a delicious and lavish spread to finish the evening.
While a day of rejoicing for many, Easter is also laden with calories, tempting even the most health-conscious among us to take a cheat day.
If only brussels sprouts and beets were as yummy as chocolate candy and pork bacon!
We may not think it is possible to enjoy a rich and satisfying holiday without food that is sure to drive up our blood sugar and blood pressure.
Good news! It is, indeed, possible.
Here are a few tips to make your Easter holiday rich and savory without indulging in a ton of unhealthy choices.
The Holiday Meal
When it comes to meal prep, there is a lot we can do — without sacrificing taste — to lower the calorie content and infuse our recipes with healthy herbs, spices and veggies as opposed to salt and heavy creams. Many of these dishes are even winners among the discriminating palates of children, so clearly they are worth a try.
Make Lower-Calorie and Lower-Carb Appetizers.
An appetizer doesn’t have to be stuffed with cheese or dripping with fat to be delicious. Here are some ideas for healthy appetizers that are proven crowd pleasers:
Substitute Heavy Entrees for Lighter Options.
- Instead of making ham the central entrée in the meal, bake a turkey or smoke salmon filets. Your family will benefit from the protein without the added unhealthy fat.
- Macaroni and cheese is a top choice for a comfort food side. It’s the cheese they want, so try Zucchini Mushroom Bake sprinkled with melted cheddar cheese.
- Does your family love mashed potatoes made with rich cream and butter? Consider Garlic Mashed Cauliflower instead.
- Let’s not forget the veggies. Many people will infuse their cooked greens with pork fat or cover their salads in heavy dressings. Keep it simple and delicious with Green Beans Gremolata. It’s dressed up with parsley, garlic and pine nuts, so what’s not to love?
The Easter Basket
When giving a gift, we want the recipient to love it. It may feel cruel to give a loved one an Easter basket stuffed with real carrots instead of chocolate carrots and boiled eggs instead of cream-filled candy eggs. Plus, it isn’t particularly practical if this will be delivered by mail. So, what can we do?
One idea is to include sweets in moderation. An Easter basket can be more than sugar galore. Instead of a bag of jellybeans, a giant chocolate bunny and several candied eggs, we can trim it to just one of those items. Second, we can add non-food gifts.
Here are a few alternatives:
- Books
- Bouncy balls
- Coupons for hugs, chore breaks and quality time
- Costume jewelry
- Gift cards to fun activities
- Rubber bath duckies and bath toys
- School and art supplies
- Squishies and stuffed animals
- Stickers
- Toys
These are all great substitutes for sweet treats, and recipients will love them all the same.
Signs of Elevated Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure
If you have Diabetes or struggle with high blood pressure, being mindful of your sugar or salt intake is all the more important around the holidays. Keep a consistent and healthy routine for your diet and medications, drink enough water and do not excessively indulge.
Blood Sugar
If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar closely during holiday festivities, continue any medications prescribed by your doctor and ask your loved ones to help you stay healthy by preparing dishes for you that will be safe substitutes. Alternately, bring dishes to share with others that you know will help you stay on top of your sugar intake.
If you are on insulin or other Diabetes medications, do not skip meals or have long gaps between meals, and then overeat later for the big Easter meal as this will cause more fluctuations.
If you have not been diagnosed with Diabetes, you may still have elevated blood sugar and be completely unaware of it. Many people do not know that they Diabetes or are pre-diabetic until symptoms are advanced. Long-term signs of high blood sugar include the following:
- A very dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Fruity breath odor
- Increased thirst and/or hunger
- Infections or injuries that heal more slowly than usual
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath
- Shakiness or increased sweatiness
- Stomach pain
- Vision problems
If you show signs of elevated blood sugar, seek medical care immediately.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a serious condition. It can lead to heart conditions, stroke and even a shortened lifespan if not kept in check. If you have high blood pressure, you’ll want to be mindful of your salt intake during holiday meals, continue any medications prescribed by your provider and choose healthier appetizers, entrees and sides. Salt is often hidden even in sweets, so it may be necessary for you to bring foods that are safe for you to eat that will keep your blood pressure within a safe range.
You could have high blood pressure and not know it. You’ll want to watch for long-term signs, such as the following:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
- Fatigue or confusion
- Irregular heartbeat
- Lightheadedness and dizziness
- Nosebleed
- Severe headache
- Vision problems
If you show concerning signs of high blood pressure, seek care at your nearest medical facility.
WakeMed has several emergency, urgent care and MyCare 365 locations throughout Wake County and surrounding areas to help you get the care you need quickly and efficiently.
About MyCare 365
WakeMed MyCare 365 offers a unique blend of primary and urgent care services, all in one location. Available 365 days a year, our physician-led team of clinicians offer convenient access for routine and non-life-threatening illness in person, from your home or while you travel. Access and availability on a walk-in basis, weekends and from home or in person, means you and your family have the care you need when you need it.
WakeMed MyCare 365 offers numerous benefits to patients with serious injuries and chronic conditions.
- Access to care 7 days a week, 365 days a year
- Online appointments and access to your medical records through WakeMed MyChart
- Same-day and walk-in appointments for primary and urgent care
- Reserve your spot online
- Walk-in DOT Physicals and Pre-employment physicals
- Prescription refills
- Onsite lab and imaging
- Travel medicine – access to your family doctor while traveling
- Flu Shots
- COVID-19 Testing for symptomatic patients
- Video visits
Sources:
https://www.medicinenet.com/high_blood_pressure_symptoms_and_signs/symptoms.htm
https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/hypertension-symptoms-high-blood-pressure
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes-symptoms
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